Jonny Bairstow deserves Ashes England call-up, says Yorkshire coach
Tuesday 21 July 2015 20:21, UK
Jonny Bairstow is in the form of his life and worthy of his place in the England squad, says Yorkshire batting coach Anthony McGrath.
After the dire show at Lord's last week, the England selectors have opted to tinker with the top order by dropping Gary Ballance and bring in high-flying Bairstow for the 13-man squad for the third Investec Test at Edgbaston.
The 25-year-old Bairstow has dazzled at the crease for Yorkshire this season, scoring 906 runs in 11 innings with an average of 100.66. He produced his fifth century of the year at the weekend against Worcestershire.
Bairstow returns to the international Test stage for the first time since the whitewash in Australia last year and McGrath told Sky Sports News HQ: "He’s had a fantastic season, he's scoring runs in all forms, is very confident and in the form of his life.
"He’s worked his game out, is seeing the ball very well and playing with that freedom. He’s been very positive and consistent at the crease and he’s been very good at putting the pressure back on the bowler.
"Hopefully he can take that form into this series to show what he can do."
On dealing with the added pressure of an Ashes showdown, McGrath said: "You never really know until you get out there but if he plays like he has at Yorkshire then he won’t have a problem.
"We know there will be the added scrutiny and how good the Australian attack is but all he can do is do what he’s been doing at Yorkshire. Hopefully that will be enough."
One man who has witnessed the dramatic resurgence of Bairstow is Sky Sports cricket expert David Fulton.
He told SSNHQ: "I've watched a lot of Jonny and he’s been fantastic. It’s not just the runs, it’s the pace he’s scored them.
"That's part of the new England ethos of counter-punching and it's a very positive move. England haven't panicked and they've just picked a guy who's in form."
The decision will be tough to take for Ballance, who has been dropped after one half-century in 10 innings.
McGrath added: "I was hoping they would stick with Gary but I believe he will turn it around. All he can do is come back to Yorkshire and score runs. We know how good he is and I've no doubt he’ll be back in an England shirt very soon.
"He’'l be hurting and will want to show people what he can do and he’ll take stock over the next few days. He's been very consistent in county cricket though and he’ll fight to get back in. He’s a young guy and hopefully he’ll be back soon."
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